Sotheby’s 2026 Luxury Outlook Report & Q4 Market Review

I am pleased to present our 2026 Luxury Outlook Report, a guide to the trends shaping the world’s most exclusive property markets. This year’s report delivers a comprehensive view of homebuyer motivations, real estate market sentiment, and emerging opportunities for homebuyers and home sellers.

The report explores key themes influencing homeowners, including the rise of multigenerational living, evolving housing supply, and the impact of major sporting events like the upcoming Winter Games on host markets. It also examines the shifting priorities around privacy and lifestyle along with the growing influence of cryptocurrency in real estate transactions.

These insights are designed to help you make confident decisions, whether you’re considering buying or selling a home: View Report

Also included below are the completed Q4 2025 market reports for Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, Lewes and Fenwick Island.

Looking back at the 2025 beach market, early buyer hesitation, driven in part by political uncertainty, shifted quickly as confidence returned. Strong activity in the second and third quarters set the tone for the year, and that momentum carried into Q4, where sales remained steady through year-end. Notably, 44% of 2025 closings were cash transactions, and 28% of all homes sold within 15 days of being listed, both indicators of continued strength in well-positioned properties.

Overall, we remain optimistic about the beach markets heading into the new year. Should you require more specific market data, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. -Henry

Q4 2025 Market Reports